When I started exploring the world in my early twenties, I was a shoestring backpacker for years, filling my passport with stamps on an ultra-tight budget. During those days of navigating the streets of Peru on a backpack and zipping through Thailand on tuk-tuks, I was a travel snob, priding myself on how many rough bus rides I took and budget hostels I stayed at. 

But as I grew older and wiser, I found myself wanting more out of travel: not just more comfort, but more meaningful travel experiences. Slowly, I swapped six-bed dorms for boutique hotels, glamping spots and places with a view. I found luxury watching the sunrise from my room perched on the rim of Mexico’s Copper Canyon, admiring the night skies camping in a domed tent in the Chilean Patagonia and watching kids swim in the lake through my window at a waterfront lodge in Pakistan. 

As I learned, luxury isn’t about the price tag. It’s about experiencing a place differently, in more unique and deeper ways. In this installation of Where to Travel in Mexico 2025, we explore six of Mexico’s most sublime destinations, each offering a distinct vision of luxury for a different kind of traveler: whether you’re honeymooning, on your own or family travelers looking for more refined experiences.

Valle de Guadalupe: For epicureans and wine lovers

Just a 90-minute drive from the San Diego border lies a verdant valley that has quietly become one of Mexico’s most exciting gastronomic destinations. Valle de Guadalupe is luxury for the senses, a place for foodies and oenophiles who prefer a dusty road leading to a world-class meal and organic wine over a polished marble lobby. 

The landscape is a stunning mix of olive groves, massive boulders, and rows of grapevines. The luxury here is found in its terroir; the taste of place. I still dream of the meal my family and I had at Fauna, a restaurant set within the Bruma winery, where we dined at a long communal table under the stars as course after course of inventive, locally-sourced food appeared. The experience felt both shared and deeply personal. 

Since a trip to Valle de Guadalupe always involves wine, hiring a private driver is the best way to navigate the winding roads and do tastings at architecturally stunning wineries like Monte Xanic or Clos de Tres Cantos before settling in for an unforgettable open-fire dinner at Deckman’s en el Mogor. For a truly unique stay, book one of the bubble rooms at Campera Hotel Burbuja to sleep under the stars and wake up to a view of the vineyards.

Los Cabos: For the active, well-heeled traveler 

Anchoring the southernmost tip of Baja California, Los Cabos is a vibrant destination suitable for high-energy couples and families who define luxury not just by thread count, but by the array of experiences on offer. This is where the rugged cacti-studded Baja desert meets the deep blue of the wildlife-rich Sea of Cortez, so you can expect a huge range of outdoor activities on offer.

During the day, charter a private yacht to the iconic El Arco stone arch, go whale watching with a marine biologist, schedule bird watching in the nationally protected San José Estuary, race through desert canyons on an ATV and go sandboarding in Migriño Beach. In the evening, sip wine as you catch sunset on the cliff tops of Sunset Monalisa, or drive up to the hills of San José del Cabo and indulge in a farm-to-table experience at Flora Farms.

Los Cabos is in fact made up of two cities — hedonistic resort town Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, a colonial town with Old World charm — linked by a 34-kilometer stretch of upscale resorts and windswept beaches. Luxurious accommodations run the gamut from large family-friendly Airbnbs to beachfront resorts and hilltop private villas. 

San Miguel de Allende: For arts and culture aficionados

San Miguel de Allende is a city that feels like a masterpiece, cobbled together with baroque architecture that has been transformed into stunning art galleries and boutiques. This UNESCO World Heritage site is the perfect escape for those who appreciate art, history, and timeless beauty. 

I’ve been living in San Miguel for almost two years, but I still cherish each opportunity to wander its labyrinth-like historic center, discovering bougainvillea-covered courtyards and stumbling upon atmospheric rooftop bars. One of my favorite places to bring visitors is the eclectic Ranchito Cascabel, a visual feast of Gaudí-esque sculptures and nature-inspired installations. Artsy travelers will also love Fábrica La Aurora, a former textile mill now home to artist studios that run painting sessions and silver-making workshops. Make sure to carve out some time to soak in the therapeutic thermal waters of La Gruta Spa or Escondido Place, just outside the city. 

For those who want to immerse themselves in nature, Las Habitas makes for a great base, at just 10 minutes from town. Its concept is built around luxury for the soul, seeking connection and inspiration from the natural environment. My family experienced their Countryside Culinary Journey and had the best weekend ever here, starting with a hot air balloon ride at sunrise, then an outdoor yoga class and a fun paint-and-sip session in the evening, followed by a spectacular four-course gourmet meal served at their farm-to-table restaurant.

Punta Mita: For family travelers

For families traveling with kids, luxury means having the space for your little ones to roam freely and safely. Trust me: I’ve traveled with my 10-year-old kid to over 60 countries, and safety has always been our priority. 

Just north of Puerto Vallarta, the exclusive peninsula of Punta Mita delivers this in spades. This is where lush jungle spills onto dramatic volcanic cliffs and meets the Pacific Ocean. Punta Mita’s beaches are some of the most family-friendly on the coast — many are protected coves with shallow, gentle surf perfect for little ones to splash in safely. 

A highlight for families is a catamaran trip to the nearby Marietas Islands, nicknamed the “Mexican Galapagos” for their array of wildlife — the swim through the cave is not advisable for young kids, though. See if your kids can spot the blue-footed boobies, dolphins and humpback whales! Alternatively, arrange a private surf lesson on the gentle waves at La Lancha beach, go ziplining at Rancho Mi Chaparrita — where the minimum age is five — or spend time exploring the bohemian beach towns of Sayulita and Bucerias, just a 30-minute drive away.

Numerous family-friendly resorts sit right beside the sleepy fishing village of Punta de Mita, offering a taste of local life just outside the gates. The resorts in Punta Mita, like the Four Seasons and St. Regis, have perfected the art of multi-generational travel. The kids’ clubs are incredible — your little ones can help release baby sea turtles into the ocean, take pint-sized cooking classes or simply splash out in the water play areas.

Monterrey: For urbanites and gourmet foodies

For those whose hearts beat more for dynamic city life and upscale dining, this metropolis in northern Mexico offers a thrilling, contemporary alternative to the capital city. While most cities in Mexico are steeped in colonial history, Monterrey surges with a powerful modern energy, contrasting with the staggering mountain backdrop of the Sierra Madre Oriental. 

At the heart of this urban sprawl is the polished district of San Pedro Garza García, Mexico’s wealthiest municipality. Here, sleek glass towers and multi-million-dollar mansions line manicured avenues, leading to fancy galleries and high-fashion boutiques. If you’re staying here, book a table at the Michelin-starred Pangea, named one of the World’s Best 50 Restaurants. Serving haute cuisine, the fine dining restaurant is headed by Chef Guillermo González Beristáin, a judge on Top Chef Mexico. 

Beyond the bubble of San Pedro, the city has invested heavily in spectacular public spaces. The most impressive of them all is Parque Fundidora, a sprawling park built on the grounds of a former steel foundry. It’s an incredible blend of industrial history, inviting lakes and vast green spaces. From there, you can catch a boat or stroll along Paseo Santa Lucía, a beautiful man-made riverwalk that connects the park to the city center. At the end of the boardwalk lie three world-class museums that stand side by side: the Mexican History Museum, the Museum of the Northeast and the Government Palace Museum.

Perhaps Monterrey’s greatest appeal, however, is its mountainous geography. The fact that you can be sipping an espresso in a chic San Pedro café and, 20 minutes later, be hiking a trail in the stunning Chipinque Ecological Park with panoramic views of the entire city, is a privilege few cities can offer. 

Riviera Maya: For honeymooners 

Stretching south from Cancún to Tulum, the Riviera Maya is Mexico’s undisputed magnet for honeymooners and couples. The entire coastline is a string of crescent-shaped bays and long, undeveloped stretches of sand where it’s surprisingly easy to feel like you’ve found your own private paradise. While living in Playa del Carmen, I loved being steps from a vibrant town yet feeling a world away on a quiet beach, with nothing around but the sound of the waves.

The resorts along the Riviera Maya are masters at harnessing this natural secluded feel. For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, it’s hard to beat the Palafitos overwater bungalows at El Dorado Maroma. Waking up to see the Caribbean Sea through the glass floors in our bungalow is a memory that has stuck with me. For a different kind of luxury, the Mayakoba complex uses a network of serene lagoons to connect its high-end resorts, the perfect backdrop for destination weddings.

Suppose you’re one of those couples who love local adventures as much as romantic settings. In that case, the Riviera Maya has no shortage of exciting, adrenaline-pumped experiences to offer, from splashing in the cool waters of cenote — check out Cenote Dos Ojos — and exploring less-visited ancient ruins like Ek Balam and Coba, to snorkeling with turtles in Akumal and ziplining in eco parks like Xplor. To end your trip with a bang, book a table at Xcaret Arte’s Ha’ Restaurant, the first all-inclusive hotel restaurant to be run by a Michelin-starred chef.

What’s right for each type of traveler?

We’ve put together a table summarizing which destination would suit travelers based on their experience in Mexico.

Beginner travelers are those with limited international experience; maybe this is their first trip to Mexico. Ideal for first-timers who prefer margaritas with training wheels. These travelers stick to well-trodden paths, mastering “¿Dónde está el baño?” while clutching a phrasebook. They thrive in destinations where guacamole arrives with optional spice and the hotel staff speak Google Translate.

Intermediate travelers are those with some international experience who can handle moderate language barriers and cultural differences. Ready to trade resorts for real-deal experiences, these travelers navigate cobblestone streets without face-planting. They’ve graduated to ordering “tres tacos al pastor” without pointing and can haggle for a sombrero in Oaxaca’s markets… but still overpay by 20%.

Advanced travelers are those with extensive experience navigating complex destinations independently. These wanderers treat Mexico like a choose-your-own-adventure novel written in Spanglish. They’ve adopted a street dog named Churro, debate the merits of different artisanal mezcals and know which mercado stall has the best tamales oaxaqueños.

A tourist visits an ancient courtyard at Tianhe Village, Jialing Town of Huixian County, northwest China’s Gansu Province, on July 15, 2025. Located on the banks of Jialing River, Tianhe Village of Huixian County is home to 153 thousand-year-old ginkgo trees, thanks to its warm and humid weather that provides excellent conditions for the growth and reproduction of the trees.

Boasting a rare ancient ginkgo tree community, Tianhe Village was selected into the fourth batch of traditional Chinese Villages in 2016.

The village in recent years has endeavored to develop tourism industry taking advantages of its ginkgo tree resources, trying to explore an integrated development mode of agriculture, culture and tourism. Activities such as intangible cultural heritage inheritance experiencing, ginkgo picking and study tours launched by the village have enriched tourists’ experience. (Xinhua/Ma Ning)

Two tourists walk on a flagstone street at Tianhe Village, Jialing Town of Huixian County, northwest China’s Gansu Province, on July 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

An aerial drone photo taken on July 15, 2025 shows a view of Tianhe Village, Jialing Town of Huixian County, northwest China’s Gansu Province. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

An aerial drone photo taken on July 15, 2025 shows a homestay at Tianhe Village, Jialing Town of Huixian County, northwest China’s Gansu Province. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

Villager Ma Min prepares to make tea for tourists in her own yard at Tianhe Village, Jialing Town of Huixian County, northwest China’s Gansu Province, on July 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Ma Ning)

A drone photo taken on July 15, 2025 shows ancient courtyards and ginkgo trees at Tianhe Village, Jialing Town of Huixian County, northwest China’s Gansu Province. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

Tourists Gong Xihua (L) and Zhao Weidong livestream singing and music playing under a thousand-year-old ginkgo tree at Tianhe Village, Jialing Town of Huixian County, northwest China’s Gansu Province, on July 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

A villager is pictured in her own yard at Tianhe Village, Jialing Town of Huixian County, northwest China’s Gansu Province, on July 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Ma Ning)

An aerial drone photo taken on July 15, 2025 shows tourists walking in an ancient courtyard at Tianhe Village, Jialing Town of Huixian County, northwest China’s Gansu Province. (Photo by Gao Qiong/Xinhua)

Villager Yang Li makes a local specialty tea drink for tourists in her own yard at Tianhe Village, Jialing Town of Huixian County, northwest China’s Gansu Province, on July 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

Zhou Yaxue, a homestay manager, tides up tea sets in a guest room at Tianhe Village, Jialing Town of Huixian County, northwest China’s Gansu Province, on July 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

Staff members of a homestay Zhang Xiaoqing (R) and Man Juan make cultural and creative products of bamboo weaving at an intangible cultural heritage inheritance experience center in Tianhe Village, Jialing Town of Huixian County, northwest China’s Gansu Province, on July 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Ma Ning)

Children play under a thousand-year-old ginkgo tree at Tianhe Village, Jialing Town of Huixian County, northwest China’s Gansu Province, on July 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

A drone photo taken on Nov. 1, 2024 shows an autumn view of Tianhe Village, Jialing Town of Huixian County, northwest China’s Gansu Province. (Photo by Gao Qiong/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on July 15, 2025 shows a view of Tianhe Village, Jialing Town of Huixian County, northwest China’s Gansu Province. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

It’s just gone 9.30am and the first of dozens of ferries carrying hundreds of tourists has arrived in the picturesque port of Portofino.

The tiny fishing village, described as one of Italy‘s ‘natural jewels’, has a population in the winter of just 350 but in the summer, it can increase twenty-fold as day trippers, and influencers hit the tiny streets.

It’s a magnet for VIPs as well with NBA legend magic Johnson visiting earlier his month and rock legends Elton John and Rod Stewart being regulars.

But it emerged this week that the town – famed for its pastel houses and pretty waterside square lined with cafes, restaurants and designer boutiques – is now such a must do stop off point for tourists that it’s becoming overrun.

And indeed when MailOnline visited this week, we found the tiny Instagram-famous town was heaving with visitors with its narrow streets frequently so crowded they were impassible.

Now the huge daily influx of visitors has led to many complaining visitors don’t know how to behave decently.

So of earlier this week mayor Matteo Viacava has introduced a bylaw until September 30 warning travellers to behave respectfully and with a degree of decorum that befits a fashionable and wealthy town with the one of the highest prop capita salaries in Italy (£90,000).

Wandering around bare chested or in a swimsuit is strictly forbidden, as is strolling barefoot, through the town.

And if you are thinking of stretching out on one of the benches to catch a few rays or have a snooze don’t even think about it as that’s banned too, along with drinking alcohol in public and having a picnic.

It’s a magnet for VIPs as well with NBA legend magic Johnson visiting earlier his month and rock legends Elton John and Rod Stewart being regulars

When MailOnline visited this week, we found the tiny Instagram-famous town was heaving with visitors with its narrow streets frequently so crowded they were impassible

Earlier this week mayor Matteo Viacava has introduced a bylaw until September 30 warning travellers to behave respectfully and with a degree of decorum

Wandering around bare chested or in a swimsuit is strictly forbidden, as is strolling barefoot, through the town

Sitting or lying on paths and in the park is also against the rules and mayor Viacava has said anyone who breaches the edict will face a fine of up to 500 Euro. (£433)

The order, number 17 of the year, is on the council’s website and in a lofty word heavy title called:’ Measures to protect public safety and security and the tranquillity and rest of residents and guards and safeguard the territory and environment’.

Totalling eight pages, the bylaw explains the motive for the rules as being the ‘heavy influx of tourists into the area during the summer months’ which has ‘impacted on civility and decorum’.

But the news doesn’t appear to have reached everyone as when MailOnline visited Portofino several tourists were wandering around shirtless and in swimwear and oblivious of the law.

Landscape architect Elias Halling, 35, from Gothenburg, Sweden, was strolling around the famous piazza topless, enjoying the scenery and was stunned when told by MailOnline he was breaking the law.

‘Really ?!,’ he gasped before adding:’ To be honest I was wondering why people were looking at me in a weird way. I had no idea at all it was against the law.

‘The place is beautiful, and so are a lot of the people, but I don’t see what harm I’m doing by walking around bare chested.

‘I suppose the mayor wants to keep standards high, you can tell this is quite an upmarket place by looking at all the designer shops and expensive restaurants.

‘The fine seems a lot of money for something which is pretty trivial but if they want to have that kind of strange law then I suppose I had a better follow it even though its 35c and so hot.’

A little further on and past the multimillion superyachts bobbing in the water and the jetty where yet more ferries are docking from nearby Genoa, Rapallo and Santa Margherita Ligure, MailOnline spotted another pair of transgressors.

Standing by the water edge was bare chested Pieter Van Dooren, 31, and his shoeless girlfriend Lieke Schins, 25, first time visitors to Portofino and both overwhelmed by its beauty but unaware of its bylaw.

Recruitment entrepreneur Pieter, from Tilburg, Holland, said:’Oh my goodness, I don’t want to get into trouble. Five hundred Euro is a lot of money to pay for just not wearing a shirt.’

A third posted an image showing the scenic views she expected in Portofino, before revealing the overcrowded reality

A third posted an image showing the scenic views she expected in Portofino, before revealing the overcrowded reality

If you are thinking of stretching out on one of the benches to catch a few rays or have a snooze don’t even think about it as that’s banned too, along with drinking alcohol in public and having a picnic

Sitting or lying on paths and in the park is also against the rules and mayor Viacava has said anyone who breaches the edict will face a fine of up to 500 Euro

As we spoke worried student Lieke, hurriedly slipped into her sandals in case she was spotted by local police and said:’ I don’t want a fine either.’

Pieter added: ‘This place is like a fantasy world, it is so beautiful, a paradise and so elegant and romantic, so maybe that explains why the mayor has introduced this law.

‘But you’ve got me worried as technically standing talking to you now I am illegal, although we had no idea of this law, I just wasn’t aware until you told me so I’m lucky to have met you.

‘You can tell it is a high-class elegant place, so maybe that’s why the law was brought in, there seems to be a lot of people here and he doesn’t want people walking round drunk and half naked. Having said that, I had better put my shirt on now.’

Lieke added: ‘It is so pretty here but at the same time so expensive, we were charged 100 Euro for four Prosecco and a few pieces of melon and ham.

‘We knew it wasn’t cheap here but still 100 Euro is a lot of money, but the prices don’t seem to put people off, it’s so busy but I had no idea of this crazy law so I will put my sandals on.’

Portofino is certainly not the place for those on a budget – glance at one menu revealed a breakfast of bacon, eggs and cappuccino was an eyewatering 25 Euro (£21), with service not included.

Requests for an interview with the mayor and had of local police for MailOnline were politely declined, as were requests over how many fines have been issued since the law was introduced.

Intriguingly at one-point MailOnline spotted another bare chested man and approached an officer to tell them of the infringement but was given a curt brush off:’ I’m doing my job, I’m here on parking duty, you stick with your job.’

Meanwhile in a further bid to control the crowds police have also set up a checkpoint a mile from Portofino, once the 160 official car park spaces in the multi storey are full no vehicles are allowed in.

Instead, travellers have to use shuttle buses to get in and out of Portofino and it was only thanks to flashing a press card that MailOnline was allowed in, with the officer on duty saying:’ It is rammed in there, so good luck finding a space and don’t park illegally.’

Portofino’s beauty is quite clear to see but it’s also evident many visitors are there on a tick boxing exercise merely to post on social media as one bizarre scene unfolded in front of MailOnline.

Setting up a tripod, by the water’s edge, one woman dressed all in white began doing a series of ‘lives’ to her followers, pointing out the sights and occasionally pulling the edge of her skirt back to reveal her thigh.

One local waiter said: ‘It’s crazy, it just gets busier and busier every year and yes ok it’s good for business, but the numbers are just too much and the class of visitor is also not what it used to be.

‘People come and take selfies, and they walk around in swim wear or bare chested, some covered in tattoos and it’s not very pleasant to look at, the locals are all in favour of this new law.

‘On busy days we can get 5,000 people a day and then when a cruise ship turns up that can bring in another 2,000 so imagine all those people in a tiny place like this.’

Standing by the water edge was bare chested Pieter Van Dooren, 31, and his shoeless girlfriend Lieke Schins, 25, first time visitors to Portofino and both overwhelmed by its beauty but unaware of its bylaw

Landscape architect Elias Halling, 35, from Gothenburg, Sweden, was strolling around the famous piazza topless, enjoying the scenery and was stunned when told by MailOnline he was breaking the law

Cruise ships are the thorn in Portofino’s side and anchor just off the coast as they are far too big to come any closer

Cruise ships are the thorn in Portofino’s side and anchor just off the coast as they are far too big to come any closer, ferrying travellers to and from in tenders that criss cross the crystal clear Ligurian Sea.

A glance at cruise timetables reveals that between now and the end of the month six giant ships are due in – one every 48 hours carrying almost 8,000 travellers in total.

A worker at one of the upmarket boutiques told MailOnline:’ It’s some of these people on cruise ships that have no idea how to behave.

‘They come here dressed in hardly anything, lowering the tone of Portofino and just rush about taking selfies, we have a reputation for class and elegance and just want people to follow the rules.’

Speaking to local media as the order was revealed, mayor Viacavo also revealed next year an app would be introduced ‘controlling the number of visitors’ to Portofino by locking onto the number of mobiles active in the area.

Mr Viacavo declined to go into details of how exactly the app would work but added:’ Portofino is a jewel, whatever time of day it is and wherever you are, there are always people here and we are working to improve visitor experience.

‘I’m not talking about putting a limit on numbers, but what I am saying is we must be able to control these numbers to allow the quality of life of locals to continue and make the visitor experience comfortable, if not even better.

‘What we hope to do with the app is show the best time to visit, when it is quieter, we are not going to close Portofino off, it is for everybody, and I can’t say to someone ‘You can’t come in but you can’.

But as yet another shirtless tourist strolled across the square unchallenged, you had to wonder whether the bylaw was a meaningful act of law or just a simple publicity stunt.